Border Ramblings

All dressed up and nowhere to go. I came across this in an old album of family photographs. Problem is I haven't a clue what she is doing there? I am wondering if she is actually Mary Alice MacWatt born circa 1870 in Duns, sister to Major General Sir Charles MacWatt born Duns 1865 later of the Indian Army. Then again MacWatt could be her married name.

Maybe she was just a family friend? Nonetheless it has sparked my curiosity and now I am fascinated to know more about her, and more importantly what is she doing in my family's album!

A Mystery Unravelled

May MacWatt was indeed born Mary Alice MacWatt on 29th August 1869 at Haymount, Duns to Dr Robert Charles MacWatt and his second wife Christian Pringle Rutherford. May married her cousin Hay MacWatt, fifteen years her senior at Haymount Duns on the 21st April 1897.

From Hay's will dated 12th July 1920 it is obvious that although there are no children from the match it was a happy marriage and he held her in the highest regard.

"No man ever had a more loving and devoted wife than I, no-one had a better pal, who has made the last twenty three years of my life, years of great happiness, and as my life is now precarious it is right and my sole aim to make my wife's future secure and comfortable. My wife's interest in my means is to be considered paramount and those of the ultimate beneficiaries , who are all well off only subsidiary"

Hay then goes on to instruct his trustees with regard to his investments

"......the making of a new investment. They had better take my wife along with them and pay special attention to her wishes about investments as I have every confidence in her good sense."

Quite touching I thought!

The reason for her picture in my family's album became clear when I looked at the statutory record of her marriage in 1897. On it as a witness is Isabella Smith. She is my gt gt Aunt on my father's side. Known as Auntie "Bea" she crops up all over the place, but she obviously made it to Haymount, Duns for the 21st April 1897!

What an interesting website. It looks like you give a really personal touch. I certainly can vouch for Susie Douglas as a researcher. She is thorough , reliable , and relentless in her searches! Good luck!

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Tracey Smith

22/2/2013 12:30:24 pm

Love the website - it really shows off your passion for the subject. Looking forwards to more mysteries on your blog too!

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Nick Sheffer

14/6/2013 06:14:34 am

Excellent work Susie, Many Thanks

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Penelope Helena jauss

13/1/2014 06:20:39 am

My great grandfather was major general sir Robert Charles MacWatt born 1865 died 1945 what is the relation of Susie Douglas and major general sir Robert Charles Macwatt?

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Susie Douglas

13/1/2014 06:33:46 am

Sir Robert Charles McWatt is not a relative - hence the mystery of why there is a photograph of Mary Alice (May) in our old family album. The solution to the mystery was my great grand aunt Isabella Smith was a witness at May's wedding 21st April 1897.

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Robert Angus Stuart MacWatt

1/4/2014 01:26:17 pm

Dear Penelope. You and I are cousins a few times removed it would seem. Sir Charles is also my great grandfather. Do look us up. My father Ian Stuart MacWatt is of course grandson to Charles.

My mother, Elizabeth Farquharson nee MacWatt was born in Duns, and related to May. She has been doing a lot of work on the family tree but is now in her late 90s living in Edinburgh. She is keen to sort out information on Ian Stuart MacWatt, born around 1930,once of Turret House Bodmin. I think you may be a relation! It would be really helpful if you could replyeven if only to let me/us know that I have got the wrong MacWatt
Many thanks
Katharine

Natasha Buchan

30/11/2015 10:54:42 am

Hi Penelope,

Interesting to read Sir Charles is your Great Grandfather, He is also mine as I am the daughter to his son Stuart MacWatt.
Would have any more information on him?

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Penelope Helena jauss

13/1/2014 06:52:37 am

Thanks Susie Douglas

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Tracy Holmes

17/12/2014 07:56:43 am

I am Sir Robert Charles Macwatt's great granddaughter and I find your site interesting.

I was born 1934 in London, third son of Stuart MacWatt, (elder son of Gen. Sir Charles), by his second wife Christine, nee Keulemans. My elder half brothers Hay and Robert are both dead now. Sir Charles died in 1942, having married his housekeeper Mrs Wilson in 1940 when her husband Major Wilson died. Sir Charles had a brother Dr John, a GP in Duns who was a noted botanist. He used to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show in the 1930s. A primula is named after him. A MacWatt was killed on the front in France, 1917, during WW1. He was presumably Dr. John's son.

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Katharine Trotter

3/12/2015 11:04:39 am

In reply to Natasha Buchan re Mystery of May MacWatt , my elderly mother Elizabeth Farquharson (nee MacWatt,) has a huge mount of information both on Sir Charles and the extended family. At 100 years old, she would not manage blogs (not sure I can either!) but would like to get in touch with you. I am happy for my contact details to be passed to you and maybe you could get back to me.
Katharine Trotter, Edinburgh

I am contactable at any time on 07805441234 and would love to fill in some details of the MacWatt family in Duns. I know nothing of my grandmother Lady MacWatt other than that she was the daughter of a General Brown, presumably Indian Army.

At 85, I continue to live in Ryde, Isle of Wight as the Hon. Secretary and Organiser of the UK Animal-free Research funding cancer charity Caring Cancer Trust. We focus on Childhood Cancers and fund research at University of Manchester
Viral Oncology Laboratories into Childhood Leukaemia and Cervical Cancer.
My cousin Anne, elder daughter of the late Robert MacWatt, (Sir Charles's younger son) is now 86 and has recently retired as an orchestral violinist. She lives in East Sussex.